Patent Application
20130110260
This invention relates generally to a control system for an electricity transfer device, and relates more particularly to such control systems for wirelessly operating electric vehicle charging stations and to related systems and methods.
Advances in electric vehicle technologies continue to improve the experience of operating electric vehicles by reducing inconveniences posed to electric vehicle operators compared to internal combustion vehicle operators. Nonetheless, providing electricity to the rechargeable energy storage systems of electric vehicles still introduces undesirable inconveniences to electric vehicle operators that internal combustion vehicle operators do not experience at all or experience to a lesser extent. Accordingly, a need or potential for benefit exists for a control system and related systems and methods that allow for more convenient operation of electricity transfer devices for electric vehicles.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.
“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a power signal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electrical signals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types.
The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
Some embodiments include a control system configured to be run on one or more processors of a mobile electronic device computer system of a mobile electronic device and storable at one or more memory storage units of the mobile electronic device computer system. The control system comprises a communication module. The communication module can be configured to provide wireless communication of the control system with an electricity transfer device. Meanwhile, the communication module comprises an authentication module, and the authentication module can be configured to administer authentication of the control system in order to establish the wireless communication of the control system with the electricity transfer device. The control system also comprises a control system interface. The control system interface can be configured to permit a user of the control system to operate the control system at the mobile electronic device and can be further configured to provide information to the user of the control system at the mobile electronic device. Also, the control system can comprise an executive mode. Meanwhile, the control system can be configured to permit the user (a) to control the electricity transfer device and (b) to monitor electricity transfer status of the electricity transfer device at the mobile electronic device and/or to reserve use of the electricity transfer device with the control system, when the control system is wirelessly communicating with the electricity transfer device and when the control system is operating in the executive mode.
Various embodiments include a method for providing a control system. The control system can be configured to be run on one or more processors of a mobile electronic device computer system of a mobile electronic device and storable at one or more memory storage units of the mobile electronic device computer system. The method can comprise: providing a communication module configured to provide wireless communication of the control system with an electricity transfer device, where providing the communication module comprises providing an authentication module configured to administer authentication of the control system in order to establish the wireless communication of the control system with the electricity transfer device; providing a control system interface configured to permit a user of the control system to operate the control system at the mobile electronic device and configured to provide information to the user of the control system at the mobile electronic device; and configuring the control system to comprise an executive mode to permit the user (a) to control the electricity transfer device with the control system and (b) to monitor an electricity transfer status of the electricity transfer device at the mobile electronic device and/or to reserve use of the electricity transfer device with the control system, when the control system is wirelessly communicating with the electricity transfer device and when the control system is operating in the executive mode.
Further embodiments include a method of operating an electricity transfer device. The electricity transfer device can be configured to be controlled by a control system, and the control system can be configured to be run on one or more processors of a mobile electronic device computer system of a mobile electronic device and storable at one or more memory storage units of the mobile electronic device computer system. The method can comprise: establishing wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system, where establishing wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system comprises receiving a request to authenticate the control system; after establishing wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system, permitting a user of the control system to operate the electricity transfer device with the control system at the mobile electronic device, where permitting the user of the control system to operate the electricity transfer device comprises instructing the control system to operate in an executive mode; and after establishing wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system, providing information to the user at a control system interface of the control system at the mobile electronic device.
Still further embodiments include a system. The system comprises an electricity transfer device. The electricity transfer device can be configured to be operated by a control system, and the control system can be configured to be run on one or more processors of a mobile electronic device computer system of a mobile electronic device and storable at one or more memory storage units of the mobile electronic device computer system. Meanwhile, the electricity transfer device can comprise a communication module, and the communication module can be configured to provide wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system. The system can also comprise a remote computer system located remotely from the electricity transfer device and the mobile electronic device. Likewise, the system can comprise an authentication module configured to administer authentication of the control system. The authentication module can be located at one of the electricity transfer device or the remote computer system. Meanwhile, the electricity transfer device can be configured to be operable by a user of the control system via the control system when the control system is authenticated and when the electricity transfer device is wirelessly communicating with the control system. Furthermore, the electricity transfer device and/or the remote computer system can be configured to provide information to the user at a control system interface of the control system at the mobile electronic device when the control system is authenticated and when the electricity transfer device is wirelessly communicating with the control system.
Other embodiments include a method of providing a system. The method can comprise: providing an electricity transfer device, where the electricity transfer device can be configured to be operated by a control system, the control system can be configured to be run on one or more processors of a mobile electronic device computer system of a mobile electronic device and storable at one or more memory storage units of the mobile electronic device computer system, and the electricity transfer device can comprise a communication module configured to provide wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system; providing a remote computer system located remotely from the electricity transfer device and the mobile electronic device; providing an authentication module configured to administer authentication of the control system such that one of the electricity transfer device or the remote computer system comprises the authentication module; configuring the electricity transfer device to be operable by a user of the control system via the control system when the control system is authenticated and when the electricity transfer device is wirelessly communicating with the control system in either one of an executive mode or a subordinate mode; and configuring the electricity transfer device such that the electricity transfer device and/or the remote computer system is able to provide information to the user at a control system interface of the control system at the mobile electronic device when the control system is authenticated and when the electricity transfer device is wirelessly communicating with the control system in either one of the executive mode or the subordinate mode.
Turning to the drawings,
Control system 100 can be configured to operate and/or can be implemented as application software of mobile electronic device computer system 101. Accordingly, in some embodiments, control system 100 can be bundled with mobile electronic device computer system 101 or, in other embodiments, can be downloaded from another computer system (e.g., remote computer system 106). As application software, control system 100 can be configured to wirelessly operate electricity transfer device 104 and/or to wirelessly communicate with remote computer system 106 of a device network comprising one or more other electricity transfer devices in addition to electricity transfer device 104. Remote computer system 106 and the device network will be discussed in further detail below. Mobile electronic device computer system 101 can be similar or identical to computer system 1200 (
Although electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) may each comprise any of various operational components (e.g., an electricity transfer device computer system (which may be similar or identical to electricity transfer device computer system 1008 (
Using control system 100 to replace and/or supplement the operational components of the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) can be advantageous when mobile electronic device computer system 101 and/or mobile electronic device 102 are configured to support enhanced functionality, computational processing capability, and/or computational memory storage capacity that is not supported by the operational components of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s). For example, mobile electronic device 102 may support video capability where the operational components of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) may be limited to presenting still imagery or only text. Likewise, mobile electronic device 102 may comparably support any of audio capability, other video capability, networking capability, etc. not supported by the operational components of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s). Accordingly, control system 100 may enable enhanced control algorithms, video telephony (e.g., for troubleshooting and help), video advertising, or any number of other functions that would not ordinarily be available with electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) alone.
Meanwhile, in these or other embodiments, because control system 100 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s), using control system 100 to replace and/or supplement the operational components of the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) can be advantageous where it is desirable to eliminate any wired coupling of a rechargeable energy storage system with the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s), such as, where the one of electricity transfer device 104 and/or the other electricity transfer device(s) are configured to transfer electricity wirelessly (e.g., inductively), and/or where the one of electricity transfer device 104 and/or the other electronic device(s) are located in inclement/inhospitable weather conditions. In this latter example, user(s) may be able to operate the one of electricity transfer device 104 and/or the other electricity transfer device(s) without ever leaving their electric vehicle.
Further still, control system 100 may be advantageous for hygienic purposes as user(s) can operate the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) with their own personal mobile electronic device 102 and need not touch an electricity transfer device interface of the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s). Likewise, control system 100 may be subject to increased functionality as user(s) obtain new/updated ones of mobile electronic device 102 and/or new/updated ones of mobile electronic device computer system 101 without necessarily having to update and/or replace electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s). Meanwhile, using control system 100 may permit electricity transfer device 104 to comprise less sophisticated components resulting in cost and/or carbon footprint reductions in production, and may permit electricity transfer device 104 to be designed more compactly and/or elegantly.
Mobile electronic device 102 can comprise any electronic device configured so as to be sufficiently portable to be carried by the user(s) of mobile electronic device 102 from one location to another without substantial difficulty. Accordingly, mobile electronic device 102 can comprise at least one of a digital music player, a digital video player, a mobile telephone such as a smart mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a handheld digital computer such as a tablet computer system, a laptop computer system, an electric vehicle computer system such as a carputer, or another any other comparable and/or suitable electronic device. For example, mobile electrical device 102 can comprise the iPod® or iPhone® or iTouch® or iPad® or MacBook® product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Likewise, mobile electrical device 102 can comprise a Blackberry® product by Research in Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, or a different product by a different manufacturer.
Meanwhile, electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s), when applicable, each can comprise an electric vehicle charging station. Each electric vehicle charging station can be configured to transfer electricity between a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle and a utility electric grid. In some embodiments, each electric vehicle charging station can be configured to make available and to provide electricity to charge a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle. In further embodiments, each electric vehicle charging station can also be configured to be able to receive electricity from the rechargeable energy storage system to provide the electricity to the utility electric grid, such as, for utility electric grid balancing. each of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) may be similar or identical to each other.
The rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle can comprise (a) one or more batteries and/or one or more fuel cells, (b) one or more capacitive energy storage systems (e.g., super capacitors such as electric double-layer capacitors), and/or (c) one or more inertial energy storage systems (e.g., one or more flywheels). In many embodiments, the one or more batteries can comprise one or more rechargeable (e.g., traction) and/or non-rechargeable batteries. For example, the one or more batteries can comprise one or more of a lead-acid battery, a valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery such as a gel battery and/or an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery, a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery, a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, a zebra (e.g., molten chloroaluminate (NaAlCl4)) and/or a lithium (e.g., lithium-ion (Li-ion)) battery. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle can comprise any full electric vehicle, any hybrid vehicle, and/or any other grid-connected vehicle. In the same or different embodiments, the electric vehicle can comprise any one of a car, a truck, motorcycle, a bicycle, a scooter, a boat, a train, an aircraft, an airport ground support equipment, and/or a material handling equipment (e.g., a fork-lift), etc.
In many embodiments, electricity transfer device 104 can be configured to be operated by multiple user(s) simultaneously. However, in these embodiments, electricity transfer device 104 may limit electricity transfer to one rechargeable energy storage system at a time due to electric power capacity of electricity transfer device 104 and/or of the power grid coupled to electricity transfer device 104. As a result, as will be described in further detail below, control system 100 can be configured to operate in different modes (e.g., an executive mode and/or a subordinate mode), for example, depending on whether control system 100 is operating electricity transfer device 104 in the capacity of a primary control system or a secondary control system. In some embodiments, control system 100 can have more than two modes.
Remote computer system 106 can be similar or identical to computer system 1200 (
The device network can be configured such that user(s) of the device network each can establish and maintain a user account with which he is associated. In many embodiments, by establishing a user account, the user(s) may each be granted access to use electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s), such as, for charging his electric vehicle. The user account may comprise information pertaining to each individual user (e.g., personal information, charge preferences, etc.) and/or his electric vehicle (e.g., make/model/year, rechargeable energy storage system data, etc.) may account for his usage of any electricity transfer device(s) of the device network (e.g., for billing or other purposes), may provide data on usage patterns to the managing entity, etc. Accordingly, such user accounts can facilitate management and operation of the device network for the managing entity and the user(s). While in many embodiments, control system 100 can be provided by the managing entity of the device network, it is also possible that control system 100 could be provided by a third-party entity.
Referring now to
Communication module 103 can be configured to provide wireless communication between control system 100 and either or both of electricity transfer device 104 or remote computer system 106. Communication module 103 can be configured to implement a wireless network adapter (e.g., network adapter 1320 (
In some embodiments, communication module 103 can be configured to wirelessly communicate directly with electricity transfer device 104, for example, where communication module 103 is configured to wirelessly communicate via wireless personal area network communication and/or wireless local area network communication. In these embodiments, electricity transfer device 104 may then communicate with remote computer system 106 (when applicable), operating as an intermediary of communication between remote computer system 106 and communication module 103 (and mobile electronic device 102), or communication module 103 (and mobile electronic device 102) may operate as the intermediary of communication between remote computer system 106 and electricity transfer device 104. In other embodiments, communication module 103 can be configured to wirelessly communicate with electricity transfer device 104 indirectly through wireless communication with remote computer system 106, for example, such as by wireless wide area network communication or cellular telephone network communication. In these examples, remote computer system 106 operates as the intermediary of communication between communication module 103 (and mobile electronic device 102) and electricity transfer device 104. The manner of communication may depend on the communicative capabilities of mobile electronic device 102 and electricity transfer device 104 (and the other electricity transfer device(s), when applicable). In some embodiments, control system 100 can implement a combination of these communication structures, as desirable.
Authentication module 107 can be configured to administer authentication of control system 100 in order to establish wireless communication of control system 100 with electricity transfer device 104 and/or remote computer system 106. Accordingly, communication module 103 can be configured to provide wireless communication by control system 100 of electricity transfer device 104 and/or remote computer system 106 in order to permit authentication module 107 to administer authentication of control system 100. It can be understood that some degree of basic preliminary wireless communication may be necessary between control system 100 and electricity transfer device 104 and/or remote computer system 106 while authentication module 107 is initially establishing wireless communication between the same. Under these conditions, a user may be able to establish a user account where he does not already have one and/or to download control system 100 in order to use and/or authenticate his control system 100.
As part of administering authentication of control system 100, authentication module 107 can be configured to request authorization to establish wireless communication of control system 100 with electricity transfer device 104 and/or remote computer system 106. Authentication module 106 can be configured to wirelessly communicate with electricity transfer device 104 and/or remote computer system 106 to request authorization to establish the wireless communication of control system 100 with electricity transfer device 104 in order to prompt remote computer system 106 to determine if control system 100 is associated with a user account (as described with respect to the device network above) of the user of control system 100. When remote computer system 106 determines that control system 100 is associated with such a user account and when the user account is in good standing, remote computer system 106 may grant authorization to control system 100 to wirelessly communicate with electricity transfer device 104.
Authentication module 107 can be configured to administer authentication upon any suitable manual request initiated by the user(s) of control system 100 and/or automatically upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition. For example, authentication module 107 can be configured to administer authentication when the user(s) run control system 100, when the user(s) activate an authentication command control at control system interface 109, when the user(s) dial a telephone number associated with remote computer system 106, etc. In other examples, authentication module 107 can be configured to automatically administer authentication of control system 100 when detection module 108 detects electricity transfer device 104.
Accordingly, detection module 108 can be configured to detect electricity transfer device 104. For example, detection module 108 can be configured to detect a signal (e.g., a radio signal, a magnetic field, etc.) output by electricity transfer device 104. In other embodiments, detection module 108 can be configured to implement a global positioning system of mobile electronic device 102 to orient control system 100 with respect to electricity transfer device 104. In these examples, detection module 108 can consider electricity transfer device 104 as being detected when control system 100 passes within a certain distance (e.g., one meter, two meters, five meters, ten meters, etc.) of electricity transfer device 104.
Control system interface 109 can be configured to permit the user(s) of control system 100 to operate control system 100 at mobile electronic device 102 when communication module 103 is wirelessly communicating with electricity transfer device 104. In the same or different embodiment, control system interface 109 can be configured to provide information to user(s) of control system 100 at mobile electronic device 102 (e.g., via text message, via electronic mail, via telephone call, and/or via control system interface 109) when communication module 103 is wirelessly communicating with electricity transfer device 104.
Control system interface 109 can comprise a graphical user interface configured to be presented at an electronic display (e.g., a touch screen electronic display) of mobile electronic device 102. Further still, control system interface 109 can comprise one or more auditory outputs presented by one or more speakers of control system interface 109.
Operation module 105 can be configured to communicate with communication module 103 and control system interface 109. Accordingly, operation module 105 can administer communication between communication module 103 and control system interface 109. Meanwhile, operation module 105 can be configured to receive inputs and commands from the user(s) of control system 100 via the electronic display of mobile electronic device 102, a numeric and/or alphanumeric keypad of mobile electronic device 102, a microphone of mobile electronic device 102, or any other suitable input mechanism of mobile electronic device 102. Likewise, operation module 105 can administer operation of the one of electricity transfer device 104 and the other electricity transfer device(s) of the device network by control system 100.
Specifically, control system 100 can comprise an executive mode and/or a subordinate mode. When control system 100 is operating as a primary control system, control system 100 can operate in the executive mode. When control system is operating as a secondary control system, control system 100 can operate in the subordinate mode. Meanwhile, control system 100 can operate as the primary control system when control system 100 presently has authorization to control the distribution of electricity from electricity transfer device 104. On the other hand, control system 100 can operate as the secondary control system when control system 100 does not presently have authorization to control the distribution of electricity from electricity transfer device 104. Whether control system 100 presently has authorization to control the distribution of electricity from electricity transfer device 104 is dependent on whether electricity transfer device 104 is configured to limit making available electricity to one rechargeable energy storage system at a time. Accordingly, while the managing entity of the device network may desire that only one of control system 100 (e.g., operating as the primary control system) be able to actually control electricity transfer device 104 at a time, it may still be desirable to permit one or more others of control system 100 (e.g., operating as second control system(s)) to operate other functions of electricity transfer device 104 (e.g., reservations, information retrieval, etc.) while such other(s) of control system 100 wait to achieve primary control system status. Assignment of primary and secondary control system status can be determined on any suitable basis, such as, on a first-come first-serve basis or by whether that particular one of control system 100 (and the user(s) thereof) presently has a reservation to use electricity transfer device 104.
Accordingly, when control system 100 is wirelessly communicating with electricity transfer device 104 and when control system 100 is operating in the executive mode, operation module 105 can be configured to permit user(s) of control system 100 (a) to control electricity transfer device 104 with control system 100 and (b) to monitor electricity transfer status (e.g., delivering electricity, ground fault detected, transfer completed, transfer interrupted, etc.) of electricity transfer device 104 at mobile electronic device 102 (e.g., via text message, via electronic mail, via telephone call, via control system interface 109, etc.) and/or to reserve use of electricity transfer device 104 (or one or more of the other electricity transfer device(s) of the device network) with control system 100. Meanwhile, when control system 100 is wirelessly communicating with electricity transfer device 104 and when control system 100 is operating in the subordinate mode, operation module 105 can be configured such that the user(s) of control system 100 are able to monitor the electricity transfer status (e.g., delivering electricity, transfer completed, transfer interrupted, etc.) of electricity transfer device 104 at mobile electronic device 102 (e.g., via text message, via electronic mail, via telephone call, via control system interface 109, etc.), and/or the user(s) of mobile electronic device 102 are able to reserve use of electricity transfer device 104 (or one or more of the other electricity transfer device(s) of the device network) with control system 100.
As mentioned previously, when control system 100 is operating as the primary control system, control system 100 does not necessarily have to maintain wireless communication with electricity transfer device 104 while electricity transfer device 104 is providing electricity to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle of the user(s). For example, the user(s) could use control system 100 to setup electricity transfer between electricity transfer device 104 and the rechargeable energy storage system and then terminate wireless communication with electricity transfer device 104. Upon termination, electricity transfer device 104 can continue the electricity transfer according to any last received instructions or can manage the electricity transfer locally, such as with an electricity transfer device computer system of electricity transfer device 104, as described previously. The electricity transfer device computer system can be similar or identical to computer system 1008 (
Operation module 105 can determine which of the information is appropriate for control system interface 109 to provide to the user(s). Operation module 105 can determine which of the information is appropriate based on data pertaining to the user(s) of control system 100 (e.g., provided by the user(s) and/or stored at the user account(s)), in response to inputs (e.g., reservation requests, charge requests, electricity transfer device status requests, etc.) provided to operation module 105 by the user(s), etc.
In some embodiments, the information can comprise electricity transfer device information and user information. The electricity transfer device information can comprise energy and demand information (e.g., energy costs, availability of alternative energy resources, etc.), device network information (e.g., availability and/or locations of electricity transfer device(s) of the device network, etc.), and/or user account information (e.g., billing details, etc.). Meanwhile, the user information can comprise marketing information (e.g., advertisements, public services announcements, etc.), social networking information (e.g., location indication, messaging with other user(s) of the device network, status updated, etc.), news information (e.g., current events, weather, traffic data, etc.), and/or governmental information (e.g., police reports, political messages, etc.).
Communication module 103 can be configured to receive at least part of the information from remote computer system 106 and/or electricity transfer device 104. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, operation module 105 can be configured to calculate/determine another part of the information at control system 100 using any of the at least part of the information provided to communication module 103 by remote compute system 106 and/or electricity transfer device 104. For example, communication module 103 may receive the costs of electricity throughout the day as energy and demand information from remote computer system 106, and operation module 105 may then calculate cost savings to the user(s) for transferring electricity at one time of the day versus another.
In some embodiments, operation module 105 may provide some of the information (e.g., marketing information) to the user(s) of mobile electronic device 102 at predetermined instances when the user(s) are operating electricity transfer device 104 with control system 100. In these embodiments, incentives (e.g., lower prices) might be offered to the user(s) of control system 100 in exchange for receiving the information (i.e., the marketing information) at their mobile electronic device 102. Furthermore, the enhanced functionality of mobile electronic device 102 (e.g., video capability, etc.) may permit more elaborate information (i.e., marketing information) to be provided to the user(s) than might be possible at electricity transfer device 104.
Returning again to the drawings,
The control system can be similar or identical to control system 100 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 201 of providing a communication module configured to provide wireless communication of the control system with an electricity transfer device. The communication module can be similar or identical to communication module 103 (
Referring to
Referring to
Process 301 also can comprise activity 402 of configuring the authentication module such that, when the detection module detects the electricity transfer device, the authentication module wirelessly communicates with a remote computer system to request authorization to establish the wireless communication of the control system with the electricity transfer device in order to prompt the remote computer system to determine if the control system is associated with a user account of the user of the control system. The remote computer system can be similar or identical to remote computer system 106 (
Returning to
Procedure 201 can also comprise process 305 of providing a detection module configured to detect the electricity transfer device. The detection module can be similar or identical to detection module 108 (
Procedure 201 can further comprise process 306 of configuring the communication module to provide wireless communication of the control system with the remote computer system in order to permit the authentication module to administer authentication of the control system.
Returning now to
Method 200 can comprise procedure 203 of providing an operation module configured to communicate with the communication module and the control system interface. The operation module can be similar or identical to operation module 105 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 204 of configuring the control system such that the control system comprises an executive mode. The executive mode can be similar or identical to the executive mode described above with respect to the control system 100 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 205 of configuring the operation module such that the operation module is configured to permit the user (a) to control the electricity transfer device with the control system and (b) to monitor an electricity transfer status of the electricity transfer device at the mobile electronic device and/or to reserve use of the electricity transfer device with the control system when the control system is wirelessly communicating with the electricity transfer device and when the control system is operating in the executive mode. The electricity transfer status can be similar or identical to the electricity transfer status described above with respect to the executive mode of control system 100 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 206 of configuring the communication module to receive the information from the electricity transfer device and/or the remote computer system.
Method 200 can comprise procedure 207 of configuring the control system such that the control system comprises a subordinate mode. The subordinate mode can be similar or identical to the subordinate mode described above with respect to control system 100 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 208 of configuring the operation module such that (a) the user is able to monitor the electricity transfer status of the electricity transfer device at the mobile electronic device and/or (b) the user is able to reserve use of the electricity transfer device with the control system when the control system is wirelessly communicating with the electricity transfer device and when the control system is operating in the subordinate mode. The electricity transfer status can be similar or identical to the electricity transfer status described above with respect to the subordinate mode of control system 100 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 209 of configuring the control system such that, when the control system is operating as a primary control system, the control system operates in the executive mode. The primary control system can be similar or identical to the primary control system described above with respect to control system 100 (
Method 200 can comprise procedure 210 of configuring the control system such that, when the control system is operating as a secondary control system, the control system operates in the subordinate mode. The secondary control system can be similar or identical to the secondary control system described above with respect to control system 100 (
Skipping ahead in the drawings,
The electricity transfer device can be similar or identical to electricity transfer device 104 (
Method 500 can comprise procedure 501 of establishing a wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system. In some embodiments, procedure 501 can comprise receiving a request to authenticate the control system, such as, at the electricity transfer device or at a remote computer system. In many embodiments, procedure 501 of establishing the wireless communication of the electricity transfer device with the control system can be performed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to control system 100 (
Method 500 can comprise procedure 502 of permitting a user of the control system to operate the electricity transfer device with the control system at the mobile electronic device. In many embodiments, procedure 502 can be performed after or approximately simultaneously with procedure 501.
Referring to
Procedure 502 can comprise process 602 of facilitating control of the electricity transfer device with the control system. In some embodiments, process 602 can be performed after or approximately simultaneously with process 601, process 603, and/or process 604. In other embodiments, process 602 can be performed before process 603 and/or process 604.
Procedure 502 can comprise process 603 of providing an electricity transfer status of the electricity transfer device to the mobile electronic device. The electricity transfer status can be similar or identical to the electricity transfer status described above with respect to the executive mode of control system 100 (
Procedure 502 can comprise process 604 of receiving a reservation request for use of the electricity transfer device from the control system. The reservation request can be similar or identical to the reservation request described above with respect to control system 100 (
Referring back to
Referring to
Procedure 503 can comprise process 702 of providing user information of the information to the user at the control system interface of the control system at the mobile electronic device. The user information can be similar or identical to the user information described above with respect to control system 100 (
Returning back to
Method 500 can comprise procedure 505 of permitting an other user of the other control system to operate the electricity transfer device with the other control system at an other mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, procedure 505 can be performed after or approximately simultaneously with procedure 504. Meanwhile, procedure 505 can be performed after procedure 501, procedure 502, and/or procedure 503. Still further, procedure 505 can be performed approximately simultaneously with procedure 502 and/or procedure 503.
Referring to
Procedure 505 can comprise process 802 of providing an electricity transfer status of the electricity transfer device to the other mobile electronic device. The electricity transfer status can be similar or identical to the electricity transfer status described above with respect to the subordinate mode of control system 100 (
Procedure 505 can comprise process 803 of receiving from the other control system a reservation request for use of the electricity transfer device. The reservation request can be similar or identical to the reservation request described above with respect to control system 100 (
Returning to
Referring to
Procedure 503 can comprise process 902 of providing the user information of the information to the other user at the other control system interface of the other control system at the other mobile electronic device. The user information can be similar or identical to the user information described above with respect to control system 100 (
Referring back to
Method 500 can comprise procedure 508 of associating the request to authenticate the control system with a user account of the user of the control system at the remote computer system. Likewise, method 500 can comprise procedure 509 of associating the request to authenticate the other control system with an other user account of the other user of the other control system at the remote computer system. Procedure 508 and/or procedure 509 each can be performed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to control system 100 (
Turning to the drawings,
System 1000 comprises electricity transfer device 1001 and authentication module 1005. Meanwhile, system 1000 can also comprise remote computer system 1004. Electricity transfer device 1001 can be configured to be operated by control system 1002. Accordingly, electricity transfer device 1001 can be similar or identical to electricity transfer device 104 (
Electricity transfer device 1001 can comprise communication module 1003. Communication module 1003 can be configured to provide wireless communication of electricity transfer device 1001 with control system 1002. Communication module 1003 can be configured to implement a wireless network adapter (e.g., network adapter 1320 (
Electricity transfer device computer system 1008 can be configured to operate electricity transfer device 1001 in the absence of control system 1002. In some embodiments, control system 1002 can supplement electricity transfer device computer system 1008 in controlling electricity transfer device 1001, as described above with respect to control system 100 (
Authentication module 1005 can be configured to administer authentication of control system 1002. Authentication module 1005 can be located at electricity transfer device 1001 and/or at remote computer system 1004, when applicable. Authentication module 1005 can be configured to operate in a fashion complimentary to authentication module 107 (
Electricity transfer device 1001 can be configured to be operable by user(s) of control system 1002 via control system 1002 when control system 1002 has been authenticated and when electricity transfer device 1001 is wirelessly communicating with control system 1002 in either one of an executive mode or a subordinate mode. The executive mode can be similar or identical to the executive mode, and the subordinate mode can be similar or identical to the subordinate mode, as each is described above with respect to control system 100 (
Electricity transfer device 1001 and/or remote computer system 1004, when applicable, can be configured to provide information to the user(s) at control system interface 1009 of control system 1002 at mobile electronic device 1006 when control system 1002 has been authenticated and when electricity transfer device 1001 is wirelessly communicating with control system 1002 in either one of the executive mode or the subordinate mode. Control system interface 1009 can be similar or identical to control system interface 109 (
Electricity transfer device 1001 can be configured such that when control system 1002 is operating in the executive mode, control system 1002 is able (a) to control electricity transfer device 1001, and control system 1002 is able to monitor electricity transfer status of electricity transfer device 1001 at mobile electronic device 1006 and/or (b) to reserve the use of electricity transfer device 1001 from control system 1002. Meanwhile, electricity transfer device 1001 can be configured such that when control system 1002 is operating in the subordinate mode, control system 1002 is able to monitor an electricity transfer status of electricity transfer device 1001 at mobile electronic device 1006 and/or to reserve use of electricity transfer device 1001 from control system 1002.
Method 1100 can comprise procedure 1101 of providing an electricity transfer device. The electricity transfer device can be similar or identical to electricity transfer device 104 (
Method 1100 can comprise procedure 1102 of providing a remote computer system located remotely from the electricity transfer device and the mobile electronic device. The remote computer system can be similar or identical to remote computer system 106 (
Method 1100 can comprise procedure 1103 of providing an authentication module configured to administer authentication of the control system such that one of the electricity transfer device or the remote computer system comprises the authentication module. The authentication module can be similar or identical to authentication module 107 (
Method 1100 can comprise procedure 1104 of configuring the electricity transfer device to be operable by a user of the control system via the control system when the control system is authenticated and the electricity transfer device is wirelessly communicating with the control system in either one of an executive mode or a subordinate mode. The executive mode can be similar or identical to the executive mode, and the subordinate mode can be similar or identical to the subordinate mode, as each is described above with respect to control system 100 (
Method 1100 can comprise procedure 1105 of configuring the electricity transfer device such that the electricity transfer device and/or the remote computer system is able to provide information to the user at a control system interface of the control system at the mobile electronic device when the control system is authenticated and when the electricity transfer device is wirelessly communicating with the control system in either one of the executive mode or the subordinate mode. The control system interface can be similar or identical to control system interface 109 (
Turning to
As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions. In some examples, the one or more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 1310.
In the depicted embodiment of
In some embodiments, network adapter 1320 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 1200 (
Although many other components of computer system 1200 (
When computer system 1200 in
Although computer system 1200 is illustrated as a desktop computer in
Meanwhile, in some embodiments, electricity transfer device computer system 1008 (
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that procedures 201 through 210 of
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claim.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
This invention was made with U.S. Government support under Contract No. DE-EE00002194 awarded by the Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.
